3 players who could replace Harshit Rana in India's squad for T20 World Cup 2026
India will play the USA in their first match of the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 7.
Harshit Rana’s unfortunate knee injury has come at the worst possible time for India. Harshit was seen limping off during India’s warm-up clash against South Africa. The young pacer’s fitness has become a major concern ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
While the BCCI is yet to make an official announcement, captain Suryakumar Yadav’s comments in the pre-match press conference strongly hinted that Rana could miss the marquee event.
India had groomed Harshit as a valuable bowling all-rounder—someone who could chip in with crucial lower-order runs and deliver breakthroughs in pressure situations.
Rana’s absence has created a void, forcing team management to look for a replacement who can either offer a similar skill or bring experience and balance to the team. Here are the three players who could step in as Harshit’s replacement for the T20 World Cup 2026.
3. Khaleel Ahmed – Left-Arm Variety to Shake Up the Attack
Adding a different dimension to India’s bowling attack, Khaleel Ahmed presents a compelling case as a left-arm pacer. His angle across right-handers and ability to swing the ball early can disrupt top-order batters, especially in powerplay overs.
Khaleel has been in decent form recently, picking up wickets for India A, including a two-wicket haul against the USA. He has also been selected as a reserve player for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which shows that the selectors still have faith in him.
During IPL 2025, Khaleel claimed 15 wickets in 14 matches, often handling difficult spells for the Chennai Super Kings, who retained him for the 2026 season. With 16 wickets from 18 T20Is, he offers variety and balance, particularly if conditions favour swing.
2. Prasidh Krishna – A Like-for-Like Hit-the-Deck Replacement
If India are looking for a bowler who mirrors Harshit Rana’s raw pace and bounce, Prasidh Krishna emerges as the frontrunner. The tall Karnataka pacer thrives on hard surfaces, extracting extra bounce with his hit-the-deck style—an asset in global tournaments.
Prasidh has enjoyed a stellar last 12 months in the T20 format, highlighted by a sensational IPL 2025 campaign where he bagged 25 wickets for the Gujarat Titans, finishing as the Purple Cap winner.
Regularly clocking speeds north of 145 kmph, he brings intimidation and wicket-taking ability in the middle and death overs.
Although his last T20I appearance came in 2023 against Australia, Prasidh has eight wickets in five matches for India in the format. With momentum firmly on his side, he appears to be the most natural replacement for Harshit Rana.
1. Mohammed Siraj – Proven Big-Match Experience Under Pressure
Should the team management prioritise experience over a direct replacement, Mohammed Siraj becomes an obvious choice. A member of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 squad, Siraj understands the demands of high-stakes ICC tournaments.
Known for his ability to swing the new ball and nail yorkers at the death, Siraj offers reliability in crunch moments. His aggressive mindset and work ethic have made him a trusted figure in India’s pace battery across formats.
In T20Is, Siraj has picked up 14 wickets in 16 matches, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 7.79. While he may not replicate Rana’s all-round value, his tournament pedigree could be invaluable if India opt for a safer, experienced option.
Why is Harshit Rana likely to miss the T20 World Cup 2026?
Harshit Rana is expected to miss the tournament due to a knee injury sustained during India’s warm-up match against South Africa.
Has the BCCI confirmed Harshit Rana’s replacement?
The BCCI is expected to announce the final decision once Rana’s fitness status is officially assessed.
Who is the most like-for-like replacement for Harshit Rana?
Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Khaleel Ahmed are considered the likely replacements.
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Vishwajit Sawant is a sports content writer with two years of experience who believes in writing that feels honest, simple, and easy to read. He enjoys breaking down sporting moments into stories readers can genuinely connect with, without relying on fancy vocabulary. His work spans cricket, football, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1, with a focus on match previews, reviews, and reports. Vishwajit believes good content doesn’t need to be loud — it just needs to leave a subtle impact.